Honouring the fallen

By
DANIELLE CETINSKI

AN adventurous young man who wanted to help people will be one of eight officers acknowledged on Police Remembrance Day, when a memorial wall is unveiled in their honour at Lake Illawarra Police Station.

Honouring the fallen

Police officer Robert Brotherson was killed in 2002. Lake Illawarra Police are creating a memorial wall in his and other fallen officers' honours. Pictured are Melissa Brotherson and her sons Ewan and Blake. Picture: ALBEY BOND

AN adventurous young man who wanted to help people will be one of eight officers acknowledged on Police Remembrance Day, when a memorial wall is unveiled in their honour at Lake Illawarra Police Station.

Robert Brotherson from Oak Flats was working in a cake shop with his parents in 2001 when he and his wife, Melissa, decided he would follow his dream to be a police officer.

But the dream was cut short on February 1, 2002, when the student officer was critically injured in a collision between a police car and a truck.

His life support was turned off eight days later.

The 29-year-old left behind two young sons, Blake and Ewan, who are now 14 and 13.

Melissa Brotherson said she was pleased Lake Illawarra Police had decided to recognise the eight officers.

"A lot of people don't realise that our local police take risks to protect the community," she said.

"That Rob was a student police officer makes it even more special - the fact that the police family still honours someone just at the start of their career."

Ms Brotherson remembered her late husband as an "old-fashioned gentleman" who did not shy away from a skydive or a bungy jump.

"He had a sense of compassion and empathy - he was the type of kid to take in a hurt animal and that extended to people," she said.

"He wasn't there [in the police force] for the glory, he wanted to help people."

The command area has lost eight officers since 1951, either while on duty or as a result of injuries sustained on the job.

An outdoor commemorative plaque will be unveiled on Police Remembrance Day, September 29, and the station flag will be lowered to half-mast.